KATHMANDU: Nepal's travel trade has achieved a significant milestone on the global stage with the appointment of Kumar Mani Thapaliya, President of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA), to the Board of Directors of the United Federation of Travel Agents' Associations (UFTAA).

The appointment was confirmed during UFTAA's recent Annual General Assembly, led by President Sunil Kumar R., and marks the first time NATTA has secured direct representation on the global federation's board.

Thapaliya, who also serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Nepal Tourism Board, brings dual institutional weight to the role — representing both Nepal's private travel trade and its national tourism authority on the world stage.

The Nepal Tourism Board extended its congratulations, calling the appointment a significant moment for Nepal and a recognition of Thapaliya's leadership in tourism. "His election to the global board is a recognition of his leadership in tourism," the board said in a statement, wishing him continued success in strengthening Nepal's presence in the global tourism community.

The development is widely seen as a reflection of Nepal's growing profile as an international tourism destination. With a seat on the UFTAA board, NATTA gains a stronger platform to advocate for Nepal's interests in shaping global tourism policy and to showcase the country's immense tourism potential to the wider international travel trade community.